Intel 4004 Microprocessor 35th Anniversary

[Recorded Nov 13, 2006]
The Computer History Museum and the Intel Museum mark the 35th anniversary of one of the most important products in technology history. Introduced in November 1971, the Intel® 4004 microprocessor was an early and significant commercial product to embody computer architecture within a silicon device. And it started an electronics revolution that changed our world.

There were no customer-programmable microprocessors on the market before the 4004. It was the first and it was the enabling technology that propelled software into the limelight as a key player in the world of digital electronics design. Intel, which had been making memory chips, used the 4004 as a technical and marketing launch pad to develop an expertise in microprocessors that, in quick time, made it a market leader.

This strategy allowed it to emerge as the most influential designer and producer of microprocessors—the engine of the information age—for over three decades.

In celebration of this milestone anniversary and the November 15, 2006 opening of Intel Museum's new exhibit entitled, "The Intel 4004 Microprocessor ," Intel 4004 designers Ted Hoff and Federico Faggin take center stage with an historical perspective on the evolution of the 4004, from a special-order from Japanese calculator manufacturer Busicom, to a mass-produced device.

Additionally, Tim McNerney, who assembled and led a talented team of engineers and designers to create the Intel 4004 35th anniversary exhibit with the Intel Museum and the Intel Corporate Archives, speaks at the conclusion of the panel. He addresses the process of reverse-engineering of the Intel 4004 schematics and the Busicom141-PF calculator ROM's that led his team to uncover elegantly crafted layers of a computational system that makes optimal use of hardware and software. This special anniversary program was moderated by industry veteran and Intel alum, Dave House.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[gamccoy]

I see Masatoshi Shima was left out of the engineering credits. He did 95% of the design work. This is completely unacceptable. This is extreme revisionism. Intel was completely lost without Masatoshi.

[TheLogicJunkie]

I think it's one of America's great injustices that the name of Federico Faggin has not been made widely famous.

[arrisstuff]

Lol that guy is a tool?! HAhAHAHAHH

[Phoenix Algerian]

Of course it can, but not with the wanted FPS, far from it.

[harry wood]

ok but can it run crysis 2?

[Ir Czew]

0:35:30 ORGASMS

[TheLawnWanderer]

today its the 40th ani

[TheBurtful]

0,74 mHz.... :)

[camargo2012]

THE ONLY PROCESSOR CAPABLE OF PLAYING CRYSIS @ ULTRA HIGH SETTINGS IN 120 FPS WITH 3DHD ENABLED!(frames per second) and HD SOUND!

[Nvidiaguides]

1 hour and 47 minutes? My YouTube attention span is no where capable of watching this all the way through. :(

[niceguyblueeyes]

Look I agree but I don't agree with your 95 per cent shima comment thats all. Like I said Faggin was more than merely instrumental in its development. Either way I think you get my point

[gamccoy]

Please don't obsess over this. I'm cool, you're cool. A lot of people deserve some measure of credit for the first microprocessor.